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British Bookmakers Set to Make Record Contribution for Rights to Show Horse Racing

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British bookmakers are on track to make a record contribution to horse racing next year – with the bill for media rights forecast to increase by nearly £30m.

The Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, Entain, Flutter, bet365, 888/William Hill and Betfred, expect to see a record cost increase to broadcast races.

In 2022, BGC members paid £270.1m for the rights to live stream races for customers and show them in bookmakers.

But that cost is forecast to rise to £285.3m this year, an increase of 5.6%, with members estimating a further increase to £315.2m in 2024, a further bump of 10.5%.

The combined increase for media rights costs is now expected to rise by 16.7% between 2022 and 2024.

The figures are based on data supplied by the Betting and Gaming Council’s five biggest members for horse race betting, then adjusted to include smaller operators, who must also pay for media rights.

Michael Dugher, CEO of Betting and Gaming Council, said: “BGC members are already making a record contribution to horse racing and these figures show that is only going to increase.

“This comes despite a reduction in betting turnover on racing in the last five years and a worrying decline in participation in horse race betting overall.

“Horse racing remains a hugely important, world-leading sport, enjoyed by millions of fans and like the betting industry it continues to support large numbers of jobs.

“I know racing is trying to modernise and reach out to new fans, while also trying to bounce back from the Covid pandemic and deal with some difficult economic headwinds, plus deal with the hit on its funding caused by the Government. The betting industry is dealing with many of the same pressures on our revenues and costs.

“The BGC and our members remain fully committed to working together with the leadership of the sport, including the BHA and others, to ensure a better future for racing. But the fact that we are making a record and growing contribution to the sport cannot be ignored.”

The forecast costs come after the BGC announced their members directly contributed £384m to British horse racing last year in levy, media rights and sponsorship deals.

These figures showed an increase on previous estimates for the regulated sector’s contribution, which had placed it at around £350m a year.

In addition, bookmakers spent £125m on marketing to promote racing and betting through advertisements and partnerships, which helps secure vital terrestrial coverage of the sport and raise revenue for print newspaper titles.

As well as the increased costs for media rights, levy payments are projected to be £99m in 2022/2023, according to the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

This record investment also enabled horse racing to use some of these revenues to deliver record prize money of £179.3m in 2022.

Horse racing is the second biggest sport in the UK, second only to football, with more than five million people attending around 1400 fixtures annually across 59 racecourses.

However, its popularity is in decline. In 2007, 17% of the population participated in horse race betting in the previous year, but that fell to 10% in 2018.

Meanwhile football overtook horse racing betting around the same time between 2017/2018.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has committed to reviewing the Horseracing Levy by next year.

The Horseracing Levy, which is administered by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, goes towards improving the sport, breeding and boosting veterinary care.

Betting operators are working closely with the British Horseracing Authority and racing stakeholders on much needed reforms to the fixture list and race programme which should increase commercial returns from the levy and media rights.

The regulated betting industry fully supports this once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise horse racing so it can realise its full commercial potential.

The BGC is also working closely with the government on the proposed reforms from the White Paper to ensure those who enjoy betting can continue to do so without unnecessary intrusion, while introducing improved safeguards for the minority who struggle.

Betting shops currently support around 42,000 jobs, contribute £1bn a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.

The wider regulated betting and gaming industry contributes £7.1bn to the economy, generates £4.2bn in tax and supports 110,000 jobs.

In April DCMS unveiled the Government’s new White Paper on gambling reform, including a number of key measures the BGC had campaigned for.

Those included a new mandatory Ombudsman for the regulated sector, enhanced spending checks online and a new mandatory levy to fund research, education and treatment to tackle gambling related harm and problem gambling.

Each month in Great Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4% of the adult population are problem gamblers.

Meanwhile the unsafe, unregulated gambling black market online is growing in the UK, with the numbers betting on these sites doubling in recent years, and the amount staked in the billions.

Games Global

Games Global and Just For The Win® continue the ghostly adventure in Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™

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Games Global, in collaboration with studio partner Just For The Win, has launched Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™, the latest entry in its established pirate-themed slot franchise.

The release builds on the success of previous titles in the Dark Waters™ series, introducing new mechanics and enhanced progression systems designed to increase player engagement. As competition intensifies in the online slots market, sequels that evolve proven formulas are becoming a key strategy for suppliers looking to retain player interest.

Set within a supernatural seafaring world, the game features a 6×4 grid with 4,096 ways to win. A central addition is the Sail into Riches progression meter, which guides players through a six-stage journey, unlocking feature upgrades and gameplay enhancements as they advance. This progression-based approach reflects a broader trend in slot development, where layered mechanics are used to extend session time and improve retention.

At the core of the gameplay is the Cash Collect feature, allowing Money Symbols ranging from 5x to 5,000x to land across the reels. Wins are triggered when a Collect symbol appears, creating the potential for high-value payouts.

The game also incorporates a Free Spins mode activated by Bonus Tokens, showcasing the signature Power Combo™ mechanic. This includes features such as Giant Reels, Stack Collect, and Golden Reels, which can combine and upgrade across four levels. At maximum progression, the reel layout expands to a 6×8 grid, offering up to 262,144 ways to win and significantly increasing payout potential.

Additional gameplay depth is introduced through the Diamond Menu, which offers features like Bonus Hunt, Coin Burst, Crew’s Choice, and Captain’s Choice—each providing alternative paths to access or enhance bonus functionality.

Commenting on the release, Edward Eklund, Account Manager at Just For The Win® Studios, said:

“With Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™, we wanted to build a sense of progression that players can really feel, where every spin contributes to something bigger.

“Combining that journey with the flexibility of the Power Combo™ mechanic allowed us to create a game that constantly evolves and keeps players engaged.”

David Reynolds, Director of Games Strategy and Partner Management at Games Global, added:

“This latest instalment shows how Just For The Win® continues to refine and elevate a proven concept, building on the strong success of the Dark Waters™ series so far.

“Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™ stands out for the way it keeps gameplay fresh while staying instantly accessible. It is a fantastic addition that strengthens what has already been a hugely popular trilogy.”

The release aligns with broader industry trends highlighted by organisations such as the Malta Gaming Authority, where innovation in mechanics and responsible engagement remain central to market growth.

For more on slot development trends, see Europa Gaming’s coverage on Slot Mechanics Evolution and iGaming Game Design Trends.

As suppliers continue to refine successful franchises, releases like Dark Waters III demonstrate how iterative innovation—rather than entirely new concepts—can play a key role in sustaining long-term player engagement in the iGaming sector.

The post Games Global and Just For The Win® continue the ghostly adventure in Dark Waters III Power Combo: The Cursed Voyage™ appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Amusnet Becomes Official Sponsor of EXPOJOC 2026

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Amusnet has become the Official Sponsor of EXPOJOC 2026, taking place on March 25 at the Santiago Grisolía Auditorium within Valencia’s iconic Príncipe Felipe Science Museum.

Organised annually by Sector del Juego magazine, EXPOJOC is an international expo and congress that, since its first edition in 2013, has brought together Spain’s leading gaming companies and a wide audience of industry professionals. The event serves as a key meeting point for companies in the gaming sector, showcasing the latest products and providing a platform to debate and discuss trends and opportunities.

This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment as the company celebrates its 10th anniversary. This milestone marks ten years of consistent progress and a future-focused strategy centred on sustainable expansion. It honours the provider’s technological achievements, the vital partnerships and the dedicated people who have shaped Amusnet’s journey to become a global industry player.

“Sponsoring EXPOJOC during our 10th anniversary underscores our long-term commitment to the Spanish market. As proud collaborators with Sector del Juego, we believe in winning together – this event is a strategic platform to share insights, strengthen connections, and drive the next phase of growth in the region,” said Edwin Cruz, Managing Director at Amusnet Spain.

“Amusnet is synonymous with evolution in the gaming industry. Having their support represents a major step toward ensuring this edition of EXPOJOC is a resounding success,” said J. Ignacio Ferrer, Founder and Director of EXPOJOC.

By supporting EXPOJOC 2026, Amusnet reaffirms its commitment to the Spanish market and its leadership within the global community. As the brand celebrates a decade of innovation, this alliance highlights its readiness to shape the future of both Online and Land-based gaming.

The post Amusnet Becomes Official Sponsor of EXPOJOC 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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Alberta

Media Troopers Prepares for Alberta iGaming Launch with Canadian Gaming Law Firm

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Media Troopers is positioning itself for entry into Alberta’s soon-to-launch regulated online gambling market through a strategic partnership with Canadian law firm Segev LLP.

The collaboration will see the affiliate marketing and customer acquisition specialist work closely with legal experts Ron Segev and Alon Segev to navigate the province’s evolving regulatory framework. The firm will advise on compliance, licensing readiness, and market entry strategy as Alberta finalises its iGaming model.

Alberta is set to become only the second Canadian province to regulate commercial online gambling, following the launch of Ontario’s market in 2022. The province took a major step forward with the passage of the iGaming Alberta Bill, which establishes a legal framework for private operators and introduces the Alberta iGaming Corporation to oversee the sector.

This regulatory shift is expected to open significant opportunities for operators and service providers alike, particularly as Canada’s iGaming landscape continues to expand. Industry observers often point to Ontario’s rollout as a benchmark, with oversight from bodies such as the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, which has helped shape standards around licensing, compliance, and player protection.

As part of its expansion strategy, Media Troopers aims to support licensed operators entering Alberta with localized marketing solutions, including affiliate partnerships and compliance-led acquisition strategies tailored to the province’s regulatory requirements.

Commenting on the development, Shmulik Segal, CEO of Media Troopers, said:

“Alberta represents one of the most exciting emerging regulated markets in North America.

“Working with Ron Segev and the team at Segev LLP ensures that our expansion into the province will be aligned with the evolving regulatory framework and positioned for long-term success.”

Segal added:

“Canada’s iGaming market continues to evolve rapidly. Our goal is to be fully prepared to support operators entering Alberta from day one.”

The move highlights a broader trend in North America, where affiliate and marketing firms are increasingly aligning with legal and regulatory specialists ahead of market openings. This approach not only reduces compliance risk but also allows companies to establish early positioning in newly regulated jurisdictions.

For more on Canada’s evolving iGaming landscape, see Europa Gaming’s coverage of Ontario iGaming Market Launch and North America Gambling Regulation.

With Alberta’s framework nearing completion, early movers like Media Troopers are aiming to replicate the success seen in Ontario—where strong compliance foundations and localised strategies have proven critical to long-term growth.

The post Media Troopers Prepares for Alberta iGaming Launch with Canadian Gaming Law Firm appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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